Carter Ashton and Peter Holland will get the first chance to prove that there are internal resources to fill any gaps. Both forwards were called back from the Marlies for Wednesday’s game against the Rangers, becoming two of the four recalls the Leafs are permitted between now and the end of the regular season.

“We’re like anybody else, trying to find a way to inject youth into our lineup,” coach Randy Carlyle said. “Young players take different paths and different amounts of time to get comfortable at the National Hockey League level. When Carter goes to the AHL he stands out (a hat trick on Sunday) and the same for Peter.

“We knew these players would be coming back here. Now we look for them to take the next step, make a contribution. They’re big guys, they can play the game at a high level, they’re NHL-quality, they’re going to get more of an opportunity going forward.”

Carlyle noted that both are former 2009 first-rounders, Ashton with Tampa Bay, Holland with Anaheim.

“It’s a process,” said Ashton, who has been up and down from the Marlies four times now. “My goal is to play in the NHL, so when I’ve gone down, I want to do all the little things right and get my opportunity.”

If the Leafs make the playoffs, the CBA permits three call-ups at any time, unless four are already up, in which case they can stay the duration.

Leafs call up Peter Holland and Carter Ashton

Carter Ashton and Peter Holland will get the first chance to prove that there are internal resources to fill any gaps. Both forwards were called back from the Marlies for Wednesday’s game against the Rangers, becoming two of the four recalls the Leafs are permitted between now and the end of the regular season.

“We’re like anybody else, trying to find a way to inject youth into our lineup,” coach Randy Carlyle said. “Young players take different paths and different amounts of time to get comfortable at the National Hockey League level. When Carter goes to the AHL he stands out (a hat trick on Sunday) and the same for Peter.

“We knew these players would be coming back here. Now we look for them to take the next step, make a contribution. They’re big guys, they can play the game at a high level, they’re NHL-quality, they’re going to get more of an opportunity going forward.”